Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan in a One-Day International series for the first time after winning the third match by an emphatic eight wickets on Wednesday. Bangladesh went into the match having already achieved a first ODI series win against Pakistan, and made more history. Opener Soumya Sarkar struck his maiden century as Bangladesh raced to 251 for two in the 40th over, after bowling out Pakistan for 250 in 49. Soumya was not out on 127 off 110 balls, smashing 13 fours and six sixes.
Fellow opener Tamim Iqbal, who hit consecutive centuries in the last two matches, made 64 to take his run tally to 312, the highest for a Bangladeshi in any bilateral series, and the third-highest in any three-match series. Tamim hit eight fours and one six in his 76-ball innings.
Tamim and Soumya shared 145 in their opening stand to set the platform for Bangladesh’s 10th clean sweep in its history. Fast bowler Junaid Khan (two for 67) dismissed Tamim and Mahmudullah (4) in the space of nine runs to leave Bangladesh 154 for two. Both batsmen perished to fuller length deliveries.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Azhar Ali spearheaded his side’s effort with 101, but Pakistan lost its last seven wickets for 47 runs. Azhar’s maiden century came off 111 balls, hitting 10 to the boundary. He became the first Pakistan captain to hit an ODI century since Shahid Afridi in 2010. He shared two significant partnerships before Bangladesh hit back.
Azhar and fellow opener Sami Aslam, on debut, combined for 91. Aslam made a fluent 45, hitting seven fours off 50 balls.
The ICC had on Tuesday cleared the bowling action of Pakistan spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who bowled eight overs and conceded 37 runs without claiming a wicket.
